Amrus ibn Yusuf facts for kids

Amrus ibn Yusuf al-Muwallad al-Laridi (Arabic: عمروس بن يوسف المولد, died 808/9 or 813/4) was an important general and governor in the Emirate of Córdoba. He was a Muwallad, which means he was a person born in Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) who had converted to Islam, and he was probably from a Visigothic family. He became the governor of Zaragoza.

Walls of the ancient Andalusi Qaṣbah (fortress) of Talavera de la Reina.

Amrus's Early Life and Rise to Power

Amrus was born in Huesca. He and his relative, Shabrit, were mawālī, which means they were loyal servants to powerful leaders. They served Aysun ibn Sulayman al-Arabi, whose father was a governor in Barcelona and Girona.

In the year 791 or 792 AD, Amrus and Shabrit joined Aysun's brother, Matruh al-Arabi, when he started a rebellion and entered Zaragoza. However, Amrus later turned against Matruh. He and another person, Sarhabil ibn Saltan al-Zawagi, attacked Matruh with swords and killed him.

After this, Amrus traveled to Córdoba, the capital of the Emirate. There, he was rewarded for his actions and was made the wali (governor) of Talavera.

Amrus as Governor and General

In 802, Amrus was sent from Toledo as a general to fight another rebel in Zaragoza. He successfully captured Zaragoza and Huesca, driving out the rebel leader Bahlul ibn Marzuq.

Amrus also built up a new settlement that would later become Tudela. He placed his son, Yusuf ibn Amrus, in charge of this new town.

Zaragoza rebelled again in December 802. This time, the rebellion was led by Fortun ibn Musa. In 803 or 804, Amrus was officially appointed as the governor of Zaragoza. He also made sure his relative, Sabrit, became the governor of Huesca.

In 807, Amrus put down another rebellion in Tudela. When Oriol of Aragon died, Amrus took control of the county of Sobrarbe. This area was later taken back by Aragon in 814.

Historians have different ideas about when Amrus died. Some say he died in 808 or 809, while others believe he died in 813 or 814.

The Banu Amrus Family

Amrus's family, known as the Banu Amrus (Arabic: بنو عمروس), continued to be important in the politics of the upper Ebro valley region.

• His grandson, Amrus ibn Umar ibn Amrus, started a rebellion in Huesca in 870. He captured his cousin and killed a local official, even allying with another leader. However, he soon returned his loyalty to Córdoba and became the governor of Toledo.
• Other family members, like his brother Zakariyya ibn Umar and his uncle Zakariyya ibn Amrus, were also active in the region.
• Mas'ud ibn Amrus, another grandson, was the last known member of the Banu Amrus family. He was killed in 884 by Muhammad al-Tawil of Huesca. Muhammad al-Tawil was from the Banu Sabrit family, who were descendants of Amrus ibn Yusuf's relative and ally, Shabrit.

Muhammad al-Tawil then founded his own family, the Banu al-Tawil. They ruled a small state in Huesca for a short time in the late 800s and early 900s. Eventually, they were replaced by another powerful family, the Banu Tujib of Zaragoza.

Family tree

See Also

In Spanish: Amrus ben Yusuf para niños